2006 PAC Volleyball Preview

The 2005 PAC Volleyball Championship Tournament saw number one seed and two-time defending champion Waynesburg fall to Washington & Jefferson in the championship round. The 2006 PAC volleyball season is sure to be just as exciting with 10 players who received All-PAC honors returning, including 2005 PAC Player of the Year Jamie Gullen of Washington & Jefferson. Adding more excitement to the 2006 volleyball season is the addition of a Saint Vincent College. Saint Vincent is entering the PAC this season after a successful last season competing in the NAIA. 

BETHANY BISON (9-18 Overall, 2-10 PAC in 2005)
The 2006 Bethany College volleyball season looks to be a promising one, as the Bison return four starters and six letterwinners from last year’s 9-18 team. Headlining the returning players is junior Lauren Spegal (below). The 5-9 outside hitter earned her second consecutive Second Team All-PAC selection later year after leading the Bison in kills with 308. A very solid all-around player, Spegal also led Bethany with 39 service aces, finished second on the team with 252 digs and was third in blocks with 49 including 31 solos. Spegal is quickly etching her name among the top players in Bethany history, as in just two years at the school, she has 577 kills, leaving her just outside of the top 10 all-time. If she continues at her current pace, Spegal will have a chance to break the school’s career kills record of 1,197, set by Kelly Sitko.

“Lauren has not only been one of our top players but one of the best players in the PAC since she stepped foot on campus,” said Bethany head coach Jan Forsty. “Her consistency and versatility is what makes her so good. Not only does she give us a strong hitting option up front, but she is also very good defensively, whether it’s at the net or in the back row. Now that she’s a junior, she’ll be one of the leaders on this year’s team, so we expect another outstanding year from her.”

Spegal will have help up front from a pair of seniors in Amanda Bashioum and Linzy Turner. A 5-9 middle hitter, Bashioum notched 141 kills a year ago and led the team with 71 blocks, including 54 solos. Turner, a 5-8 outside hitter, slammed down a career-high 190 kills and was second on the team with 34 aces.

Another possibility to help out in the front row is senior Angelina Allen. One of the top defensive players in the league, Allen moved up front towards the end of last year and finished with 82 kills. She also recorded a career-high 461 digs in the back and currently sits ninth all-time in the category at Bethany with 1,024. Mix in sophomore outside hitters Sumer Scott  and Amanda Kaufman and freshman middle hitter Caitlin Ellerhorst and Forsty should have lots of options for her front line.

“With Amanda and Linzy back as well as Lauren, we have three players with lots of experience up front,” said Forsty. “Amanda will be the main middle hitter, with Sumer and Caitlin battling it out for the second spot, while Linzy gives us another solid option on the outside.

“And as far as Angelina, I’m not sure what we’ll do with her yet,” said Forsty. “She is a talented outside hitter, but is also one of the better liberos in the PAC. We’ll just assess where we’ll need her abilities as the preseason moves along.”

The big question mark for the Bison will be at setter. Brittany Vavrek (2,370) and Lindsay Cowser (1,342) both graduated after finishing their careers ranked second and sixth all-time at Bethany in career assists.

           
The top candidate to step into the setter’s role is sophomore Kim McKay, who did see time in 32 games last year and tallied 165 assists as a freshman. Another possibility at the position is junior Stacy Shive, who is joining the team for the first time this season.

           
“Anytime you have a new setter, it can lead to some growing pains,” said Forsty. “Fortunately, we don’t have someone completely new, as Kim played some last year and did a pretty good job. Hopefully that experience will allow her to develop chemistry with our hitters a little quicker than usual when you have a new setter.”

           
The libero spot could be up for grabs as well. Allen may fill this role, but if she gets moved up front, junior Michelle Fowler may take this position. After tallying 277 digs as a freshman in 2004, Fowler recorded 102 last year in 56 games. Also pushing for time will be sophomore Melissa Fraleigh and freshman Fallon Namack.

           
Overall, Forsty feels this team has enough experience to make some noise in a balanced and talented PAC.

           
“Volleyball in the PAC has become much stronger over the past few years,” said Forsty. “Last year, there were five teams who finished better than .500 and four of those programs won 19 or more games. And there have been four different champions in the last five years, so the conference is as balanced and competitive as it’s ever been.

           
“That being said, I think we have the talent to surprise a few people this year,” said Forsty. “With the experience we have up front, we have the ability to match people offensively. The key will be how quickly we mesh with our new setter and how quickly we come together as a team in preseason. If we work hard and maintain a focus to keep improving, we will see a difference at the end of the year.”

           
The Bison will open the season September 1, at the Ohio Wesleyan Tournament.

GROVE CITY WOLVERINES (15-15 Overall, 5-7 PAC in 2005)

With eight returning upperclassmen in its projected lineup, the Grove City College volleyball team features plenty of depth and experience in preparation for the 2006 season. Grove City returns its entire starting lineup from last season as the 2005 roster featured no seniors.

The Wolverines will rely on three senior tri-captains in their drive towards a Presidents’ Athletic Conference title. Senior middle hitter Carlie Roberts (right) is a three-year starter while senior libero Emily Rossol and senior outside hitter Allison Cummings are both two-year fixtures in the Wolverine rotation.

           
Roberts earned First Team All-PAC honors following the 2005 season after leading Grove City in kills, hitting percentage, aces and blocks. She led the PAC in hitting percentage and blocks.

Rossol led Grove City in digs after moving into the starting libero position during the preseason. Cummings, meanwhile, ranked second on the team in assists, third in blocks and fourth in hitting percentage last year. Cummings, Roberts and Rossol all played in all 107 games last season.

           
Grove City will also count on a talented quintet of juniors this season. Kim Walsh enters her third season as the Wolverines’ starting setter. She averaged 10.50 assists per game last year, fourth in the PAC.

           
Juniors Brittany Anderson and Katie Skinner also return for their third season. Like Walsh, Anderson played in all 107 games last year. Anderson finished second on the team in blocks from her middle hitter post. Skinner is looking to move into the starting lineup on a full-time basis this year after injuries sidelined her for a significant portion of 2005.

           
Grove City also returns a pair of second-year players in juniors Heather Fraiz and Brooke Mincey. Fraiz finished second to Rossol in digs last year. Fraiz played in all 30 matches in her first season as a member of the Wolverine program. Mincey played in 89 total games as a defensive specialist and will again likely be a key contributor to Grove City’s defense.

           
Grove City also returns a pair of sophomore letterwinners in middle hitter Natalie Liberati and outside hitter Meghan Glenn. Liberati emerged as her freshman season progressed and ultimately finished second on the team in kills and hitting percentage. Glenn appeared in eight matches as a rookie in 2005 and will compete for a spot in the Wolverine rotation this fall.

The Wolverines as they start their 2006 season September 1, at the Ohio Wesleyan Tournament.

THIEL TOMCATS (8-19 Overall, 0-11 PAC in 2005)

A year ago the Thiel College volleyball team finished with an 8-19 overall record and 0-12 mark in the Presidents’ Athletic Conference (PAC), but optimism is high among the Tomcats going into the 2006 season under the direction of first-year head coach Steve Brewer. 

“I am excited about the opportunity to lead a program and watch it grow.  I am also excited to play the underdog role while hopefully being able to contend for a conference title,” said Brewer. 

“From day one I told the ladies that our goal is to make the conference playoffs this year.  Sure, it sounds like a lofty goal, but we think it is certainly attainable with the veteran presence returning along with the support of this year’s incoming players,” said Brewer. 

Leading the top returnees is junior Molly Klink.  Klink, an all-PAC honorable mention selection following the 2005 season, finished the campaign with a team-best 255 kills to go along with 239 digs and 36 total blocks. 

“Molly has really stood out over the past few seasons as one of the top players in this conference.  We are hoping that a few of the incoming players will be able to help lessen the pressure on Molly so she won’t be counted on to carry the bulk offensive load,” said Brewer. 

Senior Erin Plaso also returns for the Tomcats after finishing sixth in the conference in both assists (645) and service aces (34).  Plaso is currently third on the program’s all-time assist list with 1,585 (2,796, Kara McDowell, 1997-2000; 2,581, Tiffany Snyder, 2000-03). 

“Erin is a tremendously motivated and dynamic individual.  She gives us a verbal presence on the court and with her athleticism she will be able to help us fill various roles,” said Brewer. 

Players also returning looking to make an impact are senior Kelly Shuey, juniors Olivia Rogers and Leah Snyder and sophomores Kari Zelznick, Stephanie Lardo and Heather Graztzmiller. 

Despite having a number of players with game experience coming back, Brewer has an incoming class of 13 recruits ready to leave their mark on the program. 

“We have quite of few kids coming in that will make an immediate impact on this program,” said Brewer.  “The group coming in is athletic enough that before they graduate they should have the opportunity to play for a PAC championship and hopefully advance to the NCAA tournament.  The sky is the limit for this program.  They are all great kids who not only excel on the court but also in the classroom.”

“The college administration, especially Dean Roseanne Gill-Jacobson, has provided the program with everything we need to succeed.  From expanding usable court space to the implementation of Mary Kate Fowkes as a coaching intern to splitting the volleyball and softball head coaching position, we feel that it is just a matter of time before the program takes off,” said Brewer. 

Thiel opens its season Sept. 1-2 at the D’Youville College tournament.

THOMAS MORE SAINTS (19-16 Overall, 8-4 PAC in 2005)
With the graduation of three key seniors, the Thomas More volleyball team will turn to four juniors – Valeri Kuhn (right), Lindsey Webb, Michelle Headley and Jenny Schutte to provide leadership and a steadying influence as they attempt to maintain its status in the upper tier of the Presidents’ Athletic Conference.

           
In their first season of PAC play, the Saints finished third in the regular season and fell to eventual champion, Washington & Jefferson, in the semifinals of the PAC tournament.

           
“We could be right in the middle of the pack,” said third-year head coach Jenny Fette. “But, if things come together we could be just as good a shot (of winning the PAC), but we’ve got to do the job of getting there.”

           
The team will have no seniors and are expecting a few freshmen to provide some offense for Thomas More.

           
“We still have four juniors that have seen consistent playing time,” said Fette. “I actually like having youth. You have to expect (bumps in the road) going into the season. We will have to spend more time on technical training and solid ball control. It is going to be a learning experience for everyone. We can’t use youth as an excuse.

           
“Some of the freshmen are better off offensively. Obviously, we lose a lot of ball control with Laura Weigele, Jody Clyde and Mary Lape. Mary was one of the smartest players I’ve ever coached. We will be a bit more offensive this season. The season success will rely on how our ball control comes together. One of the most important things in volleyball is the distribution of sets and it all hinges on ball control.”

           
Webb, Schutte and sophomore Jessica Tyner all saw extensive action in the back row.

           
“We don’t have one individual (to focus on defensively),” Fette said. “Everyone has to step up. Individually, we have more depth as a team.”

Kuhn, a two-year starter, returns to her setter position after leading the conference with 1,483 assists. The junior needs just 621 assists to become the school’s all-time leader in assists. She added 92 kills with a hitting percentage of .178 last year.

           
“Obviously it helps having experience to run the offense again helps,” said Fette. “We have already implemented new things, making her a more offensive setter. She is going to be huge, especially for the young players. After two years of playing college volleyball, she has a better idea of getting hitters one-on-one opportunities. Val knows who to go to at what time. More experienced setters mix up the offenses better.”

Tyner, who was named honorable mention All-PAC, averaged 3.52 kills per game. Her 442 kills actually led the conference.

           
However, Tyner will not be asked to care the same offensive load as the Saints are bringing is some gifted offensive players to add to the veteran core of juniors. Webb is the second-leading returner with 165 kills, while Headley added 32 kills last season. Sophomore Sara Corry (16 kills, .286 hitting percentage) could see increase playing time.

           
Freshmen Brittany Goetz and Kristine Rust will vie for time along the front line.

           
“Brittany possesses great offensive skill and Rust has a great vertical (jump), hits with pace and could be a big offensive threat for us,” Fette said.

           
Freshman MB Lindsey Holscher will be expected to be an offensive and defensive force as soon as she steps foot on the Crestview Hills campus. Her presence is probably one of the most vital additions to the Thomas More due to the lack of middle blockers on the TMC roster. With graduation and other factors, the Saints will be without any middle blocker with collegiate experience.

           
Holscher will be joined in the middle by Kara Wells, who could also see action at outside hitter.

           
Wells’ versatility epitomizes the diverse nature of the Thomas More roster. Several players on the team could fill a variety of positions.

           
“The key to this team is depth,” Fette said. “We a have a lot of players that can play multiple positions. We may lack height.”

           
The youthful TMC volleyball team starts its season September 1, at the Virginia Wesleyan Tournament.

WASHINGTON & JEFFERSON PRESIDENTS (26-6 Overall, 11-3 PAC in 2005)
With one of the most successful seasons in the history of the Washington & Jefferson College volleyball program behind them, the 2006 team is ready for the future.  Despite losing five seniors to graduation, the Presidents will be led by PAC Player of the year senior setter Jamie Gullen (left).  Seniors Stacie Ley, Taryn Terchanik and Amanda Williamson and junior Emily Yaros also return in hopes of defending the conference championship.  In addition, four other student-athletes, Beth Mihalik, Gabby Zagari, Kelli Hartman, and Summer Baumgard, will see increased varsity action this fall.  The team will also be enhanced by nine incoming freshmen, who will strengthen the existing core of returning players.

The middle position was already deep with the return of three players, Terchanik, Mihalik, and Baumgard.  With the addition of three more quality middles in Monika Linden, Samantha Butler, and Ada Henigin, this position may become the strength of the team. 

Like the middle, the On Hand looks to be one of the many strengths of the Presidents, with four returning players: Ley, Zagari, Williamson and Kayla Bartoletti and three incoming freshman players in Andrea Fletcher, Stephanie Lucsko, and Anna Neilson.

On defense the Presidents lose the all-time best defensive player in the history of W&J Volleyball in Anne Reynolds. However, returners Yaros and Hartman, and incoming freshmen Nell Davis and Erin Ponter will all battle for the starting spot in preseason camp. 

           
At setter Gullen will once again be the leader of the W&J offense after averaging 12.2 assists per game a year ago.  Yaros will also be available to fill in at setter, while freshman Jess Kurtz is a young player who has shown the ability to lead an offense in high school. 

The Presidents made their first postseason appearance since 1998 as they earned the No. 6 seed in the ECAC Division III Southern Region Tournament.  W&J fell in the first round to No. 3 seed Carnegie Mellon, 3-0. The Presidents start the defense of their PAC crown Friday, September 1, at the Earlham Invitational.

WAYNESBURG YELLOW JACKETS (21-13 Overall, 11-1 PAC in 2005)

In 2006, the Waynesburg Yellow Jackets look to compete in the same way they did in 2005 as they entered the PAC Tournament as the number one seed. The Yellow Jackets bring back ten players, four starters, from a season ago.  Second year head coach Stephanie Szabo also have twelve newcomers to the Yellow Jacket roster for the 2006 season.

           
Leading the way for the Yellow Jackets is senior outside hitter Kaci Hlad, a first team PAC selection in 2005.  Hlad averaged 2.68 kills a game last season.  Junior Ashley Kreinbrook averaged 3.01 digs a game last season and returns to the lead the Yellow Jackets on defense this season. Outside Hitter and 2005 PAC Freshman of the Year Laurie Lindner enters her sophomore season after averaging 3.59 kills a game and 1.99 digs a game last season. Fellow sophomore Amanda Staudt (right) returns as setter after averaging 11.48 assists and 2.46 digs a game in her freshman year.  Middle hitters Lorelle Marker and Amanda Jo Morgan, setter Lindsey Garrison and defensive specialist Jessica Zangla will also be important returners for the Waynesburg in the 2006 season.

           
The Yellow Jackets open the 2006 season at Saint Vincent College Friday September 1, with the Saint Vincent Challenge Invitational.

WESTMINSTER TITANS (19-16 Overall, 7-5 PAC in 2005)
In 2006 the Westminster Titans return four of seven starters from the 2005 season. Returning MH Jessica Cooper and Libero Hannah Parker are already out for the season with injuries. Head coach Tammy Swearingen will have the experience of two seniors leading the way in middle hitter/ outside hitter Katie McDermott and setter Rachel Cooper (left). Cooper was second-team all-PAC last year, posting team best totals of 876 assists (8.12 apg) and a PAC-high 65 service aces (0.54 apg) in 2005, while adding 156 kills, 300 digs and 56 total blocks. She is also a three-time All-PAC honoree.

”I haven’t seen a team this driven in the last five years. They know we were really strong before they came here,” Swearingen said of her seniors.  “That’s the type of program they wanted to join and that’s the type of program they want to leave.”

”We had high hopes last year but we never got the team to gel with all the youth on the court,” Swearingen said.  

The Lady Titans posted a 19-16 overall record (7-5 PAC) in 2005, falling to Waynesburg in the semifinals of the PAC Championship tournament.

Westminster will open their 2006 season at the Mount Union Invitational Friday, September 1.

SAINT VINCENT BEARCATS (28-6 Overall in 2005)

The 2006 Saint Vincent volleyball team will have a significantly different look than the one that posted a school-record 28 wins a season ago.

Five starters are gone from the 2005 team that won the American Mideast Conference’s North Division and advanced to the NAIA Region IX Semifinals, including a trio of All-Conference performers.

Despite these losses, 2005 AMC Coach of the Year Sue Hozak remains optimistic that her team will continue its recent string of success.

“Although we lost five starters from last year,” she said, “I expect us to continue to be successful.”

The biggest loss was at the setter position, as the Lady Bearcats will be without 2005 All-American Ashley Ripple for the first time in four seasons.  In addition to the All-America accolade, Ripple was also a three-time AMC Setter of the Year, and the 2005 conference Player of the Year after averaging 12.58 assists per contest.

Looking to fill her shoes is junior Kristin Hozak, who has seen significant time as a defensive specialist in each of the past two seasons.  Last season, she was third on the Lady Bearcats with an average of 4.12 digs, while leading the squad and placing in the top five in the conference with 62 service aces.

Three-year starters Emily Ecoff and Shannon McVay will anchor the outside and middle hitter positions.  The 5’11” McVay, a 2005 All-AMC selection, led the Lady Bearcats with 1.31 blocks, placing her fifth in the conference, while adding an average of 3.3 kills.

Ecoff, the 2003 AMC Freshman of the Year, showed her all-around versatility in 2005, averaging 2.7 kills along with 4.8 digs.

“Emily and Shannon should bring us plenty of leadership and offensive strength,” said coach Hozak.  “Ecoff is primarily a passer, and has been one of our top defenders over the past few years.  Shannon is just a tremendous offensive force.”

Two other hitters, junior Ashlee Shearer (right) and senior Krystin Lowers, also saw a significant amount of time a year ago, and Hozak feels that this gives her team’s front line a solid nucleus.

Sophomore Breanne Ezarik, coming off of a strong freshman campaign in which she saw action in 32 matches, looks to take over for the graduated Brienne Dvorsky on the back line, putting Hozak somewhat at ease about her defense.

“As I said, Ecoff was one of our top defenders last season,” said the coach. “Her and Ezarik should solidify our defense.”

Blessed with a deep roster, Hozak also expects a number of underclassmen to make an impact for the Lady Bearcats in 2006.

“There are several young underclassmen that are anxious to see more time,” she said.  “I am looking forward to seeing them get an opportunity.”

The coach is also eager to see immediate contributions from her incoming freshmen.

“We have a strong group of newcomers who should round out the team,” she said.

Her three prizes of the recruiting class are all front line players, including outside hitters Anne Hickman and Krista Calgaro and middle hitter Erin Perry.

“They are all very well rounded players,” the coach said, “as well as consistent competitors.”

In addition to the new faces on the court, Saint Vincent will also face a host of new competitors, as the Lady Bearcats being play this season in the Presidents’ Athletic Conference.

“There are several strong teams in the PAC,” said Hozak.  “We’re looking forward to playing all of them.”  She noted that Washington & Jefferson appears to be the team to beat after taking the PAC title in 2005 with a 26-6 record.

The Lady Bearcats will kick off the season by looking to defend its title at the annual Saint Vincent Challenge, hosting Pitt-Johnstown, Point Park, Daemen, Carlow, and PAC foe Waynesburg on September 1^st.

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